I reported to Phil after the fact that Lana had been recaptured and that Sille was on our side.

　Yui is in some kind of back room and smells good. Well, you can hear it.

The enemy is the Wise Council. I wonder what kind of sabotage they're planning. Does Jade have any idea what they're up to?

I'll ask the elves if they know something. If there's any strange activity, they'll hear about it.

'Hmm, I think that's a good idea. I'll ask Rook to talk to some of the organizations that have been crushed in the past.

'Yeah. ...... By the way, what's Yui doing in the back?

　I ask, unable to resist.

'They're cooking in the back,'

Dinner?　Come to think of it, I haven't eaten.

　I glanced around and saw the kitchen.

　I could see Yui skillfully cooking with pots and pans.

'I heard there's one for us too. That's good.

Yeah, I'm excited.

　If you were gossiping, Yui came out of the kitchen with a pot in her hand.

　With a quick and nimble motion, the dishes were placed on the table one after another.

　Meat and fish dishes and breads were placed on the table.

'Where were the ingredients?'

　I wonder at quite a bit.

　Then Phil says next to me.

'They were put there in advance. There was a note, too, saying, 'Use it as you see fit. We ran some tests to make sure it was OK.

Wow.

　And finally, the soup was placed on the table.

　...... Is it my imagination? I feel a strange sense of déjà vu.

"Kun Kun. Soo ...... that

　Phil's face next to me gets cloudy.

　It seemed to be a familiar smell.

　Phil giggles ...... and turns his head to look at the unbelievable thing.

'Yui. If it's not my imagination, does this contain a sleeping pill or something similar ......?

Yes.

''Yeah!''

　Yui nods without mischief.

　I'm surprised to see you.

''That's right, there was no such thing in the kitchen!

"Own.

　Oh man, this guy.

　What kind of déjà vu is this, Sheila?

　The only thing you can eat without worrying about anymore is the old man's spit meat from the stall!　Poison. It doesn't work!

'Hey, in case you were wondering, what did you put it in for: ......!

　There is no longer a false accusation.

　Phil asked as he stood up.

'I'm going to lay him down and then I'm going to attack Jide.

Yeah!　I told you I won't let you do that as long as I'm around!

　He attacks Yui.

　The plate on the tabletop shakes as it does so.

'Oops!'

　I manage to hold the plate with both hands, stacking it well.

　I sipped the soup first, both for taste and for poisoning.

(Oh, this is delicious. And the poison doesn't seem to be a problem.)

　I felt more scared than Phil because Yui had prepared it, but my body seemed to be able to handle it.

　It's a waste of time, so let's eat it.



　By the way, later on, Yui made some more poisonless food and we all ate it together again.

　That one was delicious too.



◇





　The divine tree has yet to bloom.

　But that day will be soon.

　This is because the sacred tree's fruit is gradually growing and the tips are beginning to crack.

　The sap emitted from the trunk is also increasing. In addition, the magic power is more than at first glance.

　In the midst of all this, Phil was in the elven branch. He was sitting in a triangle and staring at the magic item of transition in the corner of the room. It was a bit scary.

''What are you doing?''

　I ran into him and called out to Phil. Then Phil looked at me with a dead look in his eyes.

...... Lady Soria isn't coming.

'Yeah, come to think of it, it's been about two weeks. That doesn't mean you're going to look like you're about to die.

"Ugh ...... I'm worried about you ...... and it's just hard not to see you ......

　This guy still feels a bit like Sheila.

　He said something about "replenishing the zeid component" just because he couldn't see me for a while. Maybe this guy is getting something similar from Soria.

'Well, it will come in time. And if something happens to Soria, she'll be able to get the word out.

Mm. It's easy for you to be carefree. First of all, what are those two-handed skewers?　You're enjoying it so much!

　Phil looked at my hands - the eight skewers of meat between my fingertips. That's why my hands are filled with them.

'Haha, the old man at the stall was good, but the Elf's place is good too. Do you want some?

I don't want it!

　I've been around the elven village for a while now, and everyone was friendly and accepting.

　There used to be some specialties and they used to be souvenirs, but those shops have closed down and there are no more general shops, which is sad?

It's a good thing you can eat for free. It's free food, so it's good for you, too.

　The day after he got Lana back, the elves were in a festive state.

　Where were they?　What was he doing?

　They were questioned by me when we took it back. But in the end, there was no solid information from the Wise Council. "I don't know," was all he said.

　Still, one after another, "Come to the store! Or, "Payback! What people say to me.

　So much so that they still give me spit meat just walking down the street.

"I don't need .......

　Pui, Phil turned away.

　But.

　I'm sure you'll be able to hear the sound.

　The source of the sound is around Phil's belly. You can see his profile, which was turning red.

　I'm sure the smell of spit meat has brought him to you.

"Here.

　I bring the skewer close to Phil's face.

　Then his eyes sparkle as drool drips into his mouth.

'I don't need ................... I'm sorry if I'm the only one who has to eat it when Soria-sama might not be satisfied.

You're eating Yui's food, for God's sake.

Because that's what you need.

　Phil managed to distract himself by shaking his head from side to side like a dog that had been waited on. Should I call him a loyal dog or a stupid serious .......

　It's a good thing that you're able to do this.

''Even so, you'll have enough energy to protect it when Soria comes, right?　You should eat your fill.

M. ...... It's ...... that's right.

Yeah. So eat it. It's very good.

　When he said it, he chewed on a spit of meat without Phil having time to hold it.

　Okay, like a dog that's had a bad experience.

"Jeez, you're on your own.

'Fu, fuan (sorry) ...... ni hoi ayofte (smells good) ......'

　I could barely hear him, but the way he was chewing on a full cup of food was like a small animal desperately trying to eat.

　I heard that this guy is usually called the Sword Sage and has a stern image, but it never occurred to me.

　I handed him half of the four skewers and I also brought the extra skewers to my mouth.

Mmmm. This is good.

Yeah. It's so good. The thin sauce that doesn't leave a residue in the mouth really brings out the meat.

　Nodding in agreement, Phil is eating.

　Rarely, though, he glances at the magic item.

'If you're worried about Soria, we'll be watching the divine tree, so you might as well go.

'It's not allowed. Abandoning your job is not allowed at .......

　Phil shows a serious, knightly face.

　But there seemed to be some hesitation there as well. Soria's loyalty must have been mixed up.

　It's clumsy diligence.

'But you should trust your instincts. If you feel that there is something wrong with Soria, then you should go.

'I don't have that instinct. As a matter of fact, I'm just lonely, you know.

You're a pain in the ass. ...... No, I knew it.

I can't argue with that, so I want to hit me in the past.

　Phil looks gloomy.

'Riff knows very well that you guys are busy. If you're overwhelmed, you should stay with Soria.

　That might amount to giving up the job Phil says he has.

　Still, the role of this party is supposed to be to gain name recognition and increase the impression of the guild and its influence.

　I don't want you to be forced to do anything.

''That's sweet. But it's a request from that Soria-sama.

Is it from Thoria?

He said he wanted ...... to help you.

To power?

　Come to think of it, I can think of something.

　You were protecting me when Yui was about to attack me.

"We're a party. But you were the one who ended it on the first try.

Sometimes it happens. No need to worry about it.

'If that's all. But the most eye-opening moment for me was when I defeated Yusuf. It was really frustrating ...... that I could only deal with a bunch of lowly demons.

　Phil's hand on the spit was clenched tightly.

　A sign of strong emotion.

'I think you care too much, though.

Really?　I and Lady Soria don't think so. No, Yuy ...... and by extension, even the Weiler Empire.

Weyla's Empire?

Yeah. It's all over your head.

'I hear you're at ....... Is it?

''Yui wasn't sent here just to sell her name. It's supposed to be for the purpose of drawing out the best people who will be selected from the guild. I'm sure they want to show you Yui's power as one of the strongest in the Weyla Empire.

　...... Hmmm. Can you think of it that way?

　In fact, the Charisma Party is made up of a newcomer called me, Soria, who is already a member of the One Nation One Church, and Phil, who was suddenly promoted to A rank from the outside and made up.

　Even if they were all pulled out, wouldn't it be surprising if they were all pulled out ......?

　No. Will it hurt if they get a total takeover when the name recognition comes up?

　I'm not used to gut-wrenching, so I'm still not a good thinker.

'I'm going to stay in the guild for the time being, though.

'I'm sure you're right now, but I don't want you to go to an ever-expanding, elective empire, even if you do leave the Guild.

The way you put it, you sound like you're being recruited by the Holy Republic.

　Ha," he says jokingly.

　But Phil looked at me with a blissfully serious expression.

''That's why Soria-sama told me to go first, even if it's just me.

...... Huh?

'No, Master Soria may not have intended it. Maybe it was directed from an honest heart. But Sufi and those around her don't think very highly of the Weira Empire.

　What can I say?

　There's a lot of stuff going on in the water.

　I don't have any of that information. Besides, I can't mix it up.

　And...

"Does Sufi have a bad opinion of the Empire?

　But I digress. I'm curious.

'Well. We have a truce with the demon tribe, but we're not working towards peace. It's only because the former Demon King tied it.

Yeah, you're in the middle of deciding on the Demon King.

Yousef also tried to steal magic power for that purpose: ....... In fact, there are seven major demon nobles like that guy who think he's a worm when it comes to the human race - or even a candidate for the Demon King.

Yeah. That's why you're so annoyed with the Empire raiding human territory.

'Can't you do something about the wording a bit more: ....... But you're right. You can't just show your disquiet and show an opening by creating an internal conflict.
　In that sense, though, the Empire is pretty hated by more than just Sufi.

　So that's your opinion.

　As far as I'm concerned, it's easier to move with unification, though I don't hold the shoulders of the Weiler Empire.

　In reality, it probably won't be that easy.

　Just as the taste of the spit meat we're eating now differs from country to country and race to race, there are also cultural differences. It may be difficult for everyone to accept everyone.

　It's a hassle. I ate the kebabs, wrinkling my brow. It was delicious.

　Phil also ate a spit next to me.

I'm not sure if Soria-sama sent me here simply because she has a fondness for Jade. He wants me to support Jade more than myself. ...... Hmmm.

　What a soliloquy.